Australian Open 2018

[Sine]

AO starting on monday and the draw done today. Any predictions or thoughts?

I'm hoping to win:

Mens: Federer
Womens: Sharapova/Bouchard Although the latter probably has a greater chance of a 1st/2nd round exit

[lilyrosee]

AO starting on monday and the draw done today. Any predictions or thoughts?

I'm hoping to win:

Mens: Federer
Womens: Sharapova/Bouchard Although the latter probably has a greater chance of a 1st/2nd round exit

With the draw out I definitely think Federer has a very strong chance of winning. I am also hoping young gun Sascha Zverev does well!

[appleandbee]

Mens: Federer is obviously the favourite, but I am also thinking Dimitrov, Zverev (if he can break his duck of underwhelming Grand Slam exits)   or Kyrgios. Maybe Kevin Anderson, because I like South Africans or Andrey Rublev because he is so talented and mature for such a young player. No Andy Murray though 

Womens: Hopefully Simona Halep can get this one, especially given her Roland Garros heartbreaks  (she's probably my favourite women''s player apart from Sharapova). Elina Svitolina, Caroline Garcia, Jelena Ostapenko, Caroline Wozniacki and Julia Goerges (she has been unbeaten since October, where she has won a Premier tournament and end of year elite trophy as well as beating Wozniacki last week in the Auckland final) are strong contenders as well. It'll be interesting to see how Sharapova goes.

[EEEEEEP]

Mens: Federer is obviously the favourite, but I am also thinking Dimitrov, Zverev (if he can break his duck of underwhelming Grand Slam exits)   or Kyrgios. Maybe Kevin Anderson, because I like South Africans or Andrey Rublev because he is so talented and mature for such a young player. No Andy Murray though 

Womens: Hopefully Simona Halep can get this one, especially given her Roland Garros heartbreaks  (she's probably my favourite women''s player apart from Sharapova). Elina Svitolina, Caroline Garcia, Jelena Ostapenko, Caroline Wozniacki and Julia Goerges (she has been unbeaten since October, where she has won a Premier tournament and end of year elite trophy as well as beating Wozniacki last week in the Auckland final) are strong contenders as well. It'll be interesting to see how Sharapova goes.

I do agree on your other sentiments.

Kyrgios?

What a joke.

The kid is gonna cry "injury" , quit some time halfway or act up anytime something happens. He has the mental fortitude of well.. a baby. He also acts like a knob.

Every year, he pulls some ridiculous BS, I don't trust him at all.

[Aaron]

Kyrgios?

What a joke.

The kid is gonna cry "injury" , quit some time halfway or act up anytime something happens. He has the mental fortitude of well.. a baby. He also acts like a knob.

Every year, he pulls some ridiculous BS, I don't trust him at all.

He's a good player and will be absolutely fantastic with some taming. Just immature and hasn't been coached/mentored on PR. He isn't the first who has gone on to do amazing things after initial dummy spits, and certainly won't be the last.

I feel like his recent behaviour at the Brissy International was a massive improvement and hope it continues for his own development.

I think the media definitely need to back off our up and coming Aussie talent. Pressure isn't good for anyone

[EEEEEEP]

He's a good player and will be absolutely fantastic with some taming. Just immature and hasn't been coached/mentored on PR.

I feel like his recent behaviour at the Brissy International was a massive improvement and hope it continues for his own development.

I think the media definitely need to back off our up and coming Aussie talent. Pressure isn't good for anyone

He did it to himself..

The dummy spits, racket breaking, the swearing, losing his shit, etc... and the bowing out of competitions half assed. It's only about time until the criticism starts mounting.

Sure pressure isn't good for anyone, but he is genuinely badly behaved like his mate Tomic.

[quinn_03]

No mention of Nadal here?  hehehe
He played really well in Tie Break Tens, and his draw is slightly easier than Fed's, so I think he has a good chance of making it to the second week. I'm all for another Fedal match up though, but Federer has to knock out Djokovic first. Gl!!!

[clarke54321]

In terms of the men's tournament, I'd like to see Alexander Zverev claim the championship. For the women's, it would be nice to see Garbine Muguruza up there. The competition needs some fresh energy.

[brenden]

The GOAT Kygrios will play the 2nd GOAT Alex De Minaur in the final- a 5 setter than goes to 70-68 in the final set with Kygrios the humble victor.

[Yertle the Turtle]

I'm hoping for a win for Federer, but I wouldn't say that he's the favourite, he first has to knock out Djokovic, and that won't be easy. I'd like him to get that 20th Grand Slam, and based on last years performance he does have a chance. Also like the look of Zverev, but I still like to see the old guys doing well.

Good luck Fed!!

[jamonwindeyer]

I think Djokovic will do well, but he isn't really back into the swing of things yet. I'm thinking (hoping) that Federer will get him - I think they'll both get to the Semis.

I'd love to see Kyrgios do really well, get through Dimitrov and get into a semi against Rafa, assuming Rafa is feeling healthy and doesn't go out earlier. Doubt it, but it would be good to see.

I won't cross my fingers, but I'd be down for a Kyrgios/Federer final if it happened 

For the Women's, no clue, but would again love to see the Aussies do well. I'm excited to watch an Aus Open with some big names missing to see what happens

[Yertle the Turtle]

The GOAT Kygrios will play the 2nd GOAT Alex De Minaur in the final- a 5 setter than goes to 70-68 in the final set with Kygrios the humble victor.

The GOAT? That title belongs to Nathan Lyon alone, Garry himself, no one else.

My problem with Kygrios is the hissy-fits, the racquet-smashing, the fact that he simply doesn't know how to grow up. Hope the Aussies go well though!

[Sine]

Finally had a look at the draw a little in depth.

Sharapova's draw is cooked potentially would need to beat 6 very highly seeded players (14, 21, 3, 8, 1, 2)

Wozniacki seems to have a really nice draw, although she is ranked 2 and been number 1 before for ~1 year still hasn't won a grand slam.

Mens draw is basically ez top half and stacked bottom half. Out of the relative dark horses del potro could definitely challenge to get very far(beat federer last US open).

[brenden]

My problem with Kygrios is the hissy-fits, the racquet-smashing

Well, that rules out half the tour!

Get around De Minaur tonight lads and ladettes, has a very winnable final waiting for him if he can get through tonight!

[appleandbee]

I don't really care because I don't think he is a major loss to Australian tennis unlike Kyrgios (since he has no major weapons in his game), but why would Tomic decided against participating in the wild card playoffs?